ΔΠΠ613: Climate Change in the Natural and the Anthropogenic Environment

Module Purpose and Objectives 

The module's main objective is to address the phenomenon of climate change from multiple perspectives and approach the impacts it is expected to have in the Natural and the Anthropogenic Environment of the Mediterranean, with special focus on Greece and Cyprus. Furthermore, the Thematic Unit examines the adaptation measures that need to be taken to tackle climate change impacts on aquatic systems, on the coastal and marine environment, on terrestrial and forest ecosystems, on agricultural systems, as well as in the fields of human health protection, in energy, transport and infrastructure and in the Mediterranean urban environment. Additionally, the Thematic Unit examines the cost and benefits of climate change adaptation, as well as measures that could lead to climate change mitigation, by presenting the advantages and disadvantages of available solutions.

Students successfully completing this Thematic Unit are expected to be able to: 

• Identify the impacts of climate change in the Natural and the Anthropogenic Environment.
• Comprehend, realize, and propose fit-for-purpose administrative measures to adapt to climate change per environmental sector facing its impacts.
• Identify the cost and benefits of adapting to climate change.
• Identify measures that lead to climate change mitigation.

Module Content

The module examines key terms and concepts that relate to global climate change, the factors that determine it, as well as the characteristics of Mediterranean climate, placing special emphasis on the Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, it analyses the anthropogenic factors that cause recent global climatic change, the magnitude of climatic changes on a global scale, but also in Europe, in the Mediterranean, in Greece, and in Cyprus. In addition to these, the Thematic Unit examines global and regional climate model projections for the 21^st century. 

Moreover, the module, examines the already evident, as well as expected impacts of climate change on aquatic systems, on the coastal and marine environment, on terrestrial and forest ecosystems as the principal components of the Natural Environment in the Mediterranean. In addition, it addresses climate change impacts on agricultural systems, on human health protection, on energy, on transports and infrastructure networks and on the urban sector as the principal components of the Anthropogenic Environment in the Mediterranean.

The module emphasizes on adaptation measures needed to be taken to face the expected climate change impacts.

Moreover, it seeks to investigate the cost and benefits of climate change adaptation, as well as measures for climate change mitigation, by presenting the advantages and disadvantages of available solutions.

In addition to using the available theoretical framework and case studies, it includes laboratory exercises with original data for assessing regional climatic change or regional environmental risks per sector, helping students to assimilate new knowledge e.g. for assessing regional changes in climate or bioclimate or for assessing the risks addressed by particular environmental sectors.